The writing’s on the wall. After years of maintaining two competing DevOps platforms, Microsoft is making its move—and it’s a big one. Azure DevOps, once a go-to solution for enterprise DevOps pipelines, is slowly being sunset in favor of GitHub, the code collaboration platform Microsoft acquired in 2018 for $7.5 billion.
Why does this matter? Because it marks a monumental shift in how Microsoft—and the world—builds, secures, and ships software.
This isn’t just a tooling change. It’s a strategic consolidation reshaping developer workflows, CI/CD practices, and the broader DevOps ecosystem. Microsoft has decided it’s time to stop competing with itself and focus on GitHub as its unified, future-proof DevOps platform.
Let’s break down why this shift is happening, what it means for your team, and how to plan your next move.
What is Azure DevOps? What is GitHub?
Both Azure DevOps and GitHub are platforms used by software teams to collaborate on code development. At the core of both platforms use the Git protocol, the standard for modern version control—a distributed version control system that allows teams to track changes in code, manage branches, and collaborate safely. These platforms serve as code repositories—the essential foundation for all modern software engineering.
- Azure DevOps, launched by Microsoft in 2018 as the successor to Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS), includes a suite of tools for planning, building, testing, and delivering software (source).
- GitHub, also owned by Microsoft (acquired in 2018), is the world’s largest open-source code hosting platform, with deep integration into the developer ecosystem and the Microsoft cloud.
Both are excellent products—but it’s now clear Microsoft intends to consolidate its DevOps future around GitHub.
Why Microsoft Is Transitioning from Azure DevOps to GitHub
Ever since Microsoft acquired GitHub, industry analysts and developers alike questioned why Microsoft would continue supporting two nearly identical platforms. In effect, Microsoft was cannibalizing its own market share—splitting engineering effort and confusing its customer base.
By shifting innovation toward GitHub and freezing major feature development on Azure DevOps, Microsoft unlocks several strategic advantages:
- Focuses resources on a single, rapidly growing platform
- Enables GitHub to grow faster and more intelligently
- Increases profitability by eliminating redundant product lines
As The Register puts it:
“Microsoft has long planned to steer customers toward GitHub as the centerpiece of its DevOps strategy.”
Microsoft has also published official guidance on using GitHub with Azure Pipelines and Boards to support hybrid teams during the transition.
Does GitHub Have a Monopoly on Code Hosting?
Some argue GitHub is nearing a monopoly. And looking at the numbers, they may have a point. But this dominance stems less from lock-in, and more from GitHub’s consistently strong developer experience.
GitHub offers unmatched ecosystem integration, a thriving open-source community, and AI-enhanced productivity through tools like GitHub Copilot and GitHub Actions.
Code Repository Market Share (2024 Estimates)
| Platform | Market Share | Source |
| GitHub | ~77% | Stack Overflow Developer Survey |
| GitLab | ~12% | GitLab Market Overview |
| Bitbucket | ~6% | Atlassian Insights |
| Azure DevOps | ~3% | RedMonk Analysis |
| Other | ~2% | Various sources |
GitHub’s open API ecosystem, robust integrations, and broad developer adoption have positioned it as the clear leader.
Why Teams Choose GitHub Over Competitors
- Best-in-class developer experience
- Massive open-source library and network effects
- GitHub Copilot for AI code generation and productivity
- Built-in security tools (e.g., secret scanning, code scanning)
- Native CI/CD with GitHub Actions
- Tight integration with Microsoft’s Azure ecosystem
What’s Still Supported in Azure DevOps?
Azure DevOps is still supported and maintained, but it is no longer a focus of major innovation. Microsoft continues to ship updates for compatibility, security, and GitHub integration.
As a Reddit user observed:
“Azure DevOps is not going anywhere anytime soon, but you should see it as a finished product. New major features are unlikely to be added.”
Microsoft’s own DevBlogs outline how GitHub is now the primary focus for new investments.
Recommendations Moving Forward
If your organization is still using Azure DevOps, now is the time to start planning a transition to GitHub.
- Both platforms use the Git protocol, so core repo migration is painless
- Microsoft provides official migration tooling
- GitHub now includes features that were once only available in Azure DevOps (e.g., GitHub Projects, GitHub Actions)
Migration Timeline Estimate (for a mid-size org)
| Task | Time Estimate |
| Repo migration & permissions | 1–2 weeks |
| Rebuilding CI/CD with GitHub Actions | 2–4 weeks |
| Testing & validation | 1 week |
| Training & rollout | 1–2 weeks |
Total Estimate: ~6–9 weeks for most companies
You can also use GitHub alongside Azure Boards and Pipelines in a hybrid setup.
TL;DR: Azure DevOps is Stable, but GitHub is the Future
- Azure DevOps is still supported—but no longer evolving
- GitHub is now the center of Microsoft’s DevOps strategy
- Migration is straightforward thanks to shared Git foundations
- Forward-thinking teams are already making the shift
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Related Reading:
Microsoft Acquires GitHub for $7.5B
GitHub Copilot for Organizations
Why GitHub is Microsoft’s Long-Term DevOps Strategy
GitHub Actions vs Azure Pipelines
Reddit: Microsoft and GitHub Sales Discussion
